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Hailed the Most Beautiful Experience in Kubli Springs

Read first: Kubli Springs Night @ Viaje del Sol

I remember after my first visit in Kubli Springs, I vowed to return and take a bath in the mineral water springs of Kubli. This time we are all prepared with proper swim suit, towels and extra clothes. It was a unique night to remember and thanks to my team for being "game" and adventurous for one night. Enjoy the Photo Essay!

Hailed the most beautiful IT managers...

Kubli Springs with flowing natural, potable mineral water. For the record, nobody had stomach ache after drinking a few glasses of the mineral water. Also, there are no mosquitoes and the area was clean.

Ugu Bigyan's

Ugu Bigyan's Kulawo (Banana Heart)! -- The Best seller in the house! This is just with charcoal to bring out the smokey flavor and cooked in vinegar and spices. I swear, it taste like tuna meat!! ( email me for the recipe )

Read First:
Quezon Culinary Series 10: Ugu Bigyan's Secret Pottery Garden
[Viaje del Sol Series.7] Ugu Bigyan's Pottery Garden Postcards
[Viaje del Sol Series.6] Sumptuous Lunch @ Ugu Bigyan!
Viaje del Sol Review

After blogging this last Sept 2005, Ugu Bigyan continues to be one of the secret places in the Philippines. You cannot find this in the lonely planet and in fact, even the people who lives within the area was surprised that such beautiful garden place exist. I've been raving about it for years now, and if you have not eaten here, you should plan a viaje del sol trip this coming summer.

Here are some tips on making your Ugu Bigyan trip a memorable experience:

1. You need to reserve one day in advance for lunch (minimum of 5) or merienda. They are strict that you pay for the exact amount of headcount that you reserved since they buy the ingredients in the market based on the reservation.
2. The Best time to buy pottery items in Ugu are during the sale season. There are three sale sessions: first, is the pahiyas sale on May 15 (this would be too crowded); second, on his even birthdays August 14 discounted depending on his age (42% this year); and lastly during the first Sunday of October.
3. Lunch is now @ P400/ head. It is usually a fix set depends on what they can buy in the market. You can influence this a bit and try to change some of the items based on your preference.
4. Merienda is also a nice time to go here and get a taste of their Sago and Gulaman!!
5. You can learn pottery here and decide to stay for a night. I suggest you inquire when the classes are and schedule your visit during that time.

They make it look easy to create a perfect jar!

Check out the rest of the Ugu Bigyan meal...

Kubli Springs Night @ Viaje del Sol

Read this First:
[Viaje del Sol Series.3] "Starbucks" stop @ Jay's Kinabuhayan Cafe
[Viaje del Sol Series.4] Postcards from Kinabuhayan Cafe
[Viaje del Sol Series.5] The Charm of Kubli Springs

I'm still on a Kubli Springs High and I can't believe that I was able to pull this off with my office mates. It was also fortunate that I was in San Pablo, Laguna for work that I have to spend the night in that area. Finally, I had the chance to execute one of my wildest setup of having dinner at Kubli Springs in Dolores, Quezon -- Thanks to Jay and Ralph of Kinabuhayan Cafe! I've been to all the places in the Viaje del Sol area, this is one of the must try experiences that any foodie should go to.

Imagine eating inside a wild forest amidst huge rocks and bonfires, getting wet from the clear water flowing through your feet, and drinking from the cold natural spring water. The table is set on top of natural rocks with flowing water underneath it. The best part of the dinner is the excellent food prepared by Jay. I was caught off guard at how great the food taste that all my friends are raving about it long after the dinner. This is literally dining under the stars and it was a truly priceless dining experience.

I told my friends that day, that I have a surprise adventure dinner for them. I kept it as a surprise because I want to blow their minds off on one of the unique experiences in the Philippines. I just told them that they need to bring slippers because they might get wet. Most of us came from office and that is why we still have our jeans on :) Actually, the best way to enjoy this place is to wear swim shorts and you eat while submerged in cool clear water. Going to this place is scary since it is located near the foot of Mt. Banahaw and in the heart of Dolores, Quezon.

Kubli Springs Dinner is just AWESOME! Perfect setting and ambiance with great gourmet food for P500/ head only ! I'm going back to bring my wife and Aidan to enjoy this place :)

(L-R) Ginger, Reena, Vince, Murf/Edlyn, Wendy and our boss, Sonny

Check out the rest of the Kubli Springs Night story ...

Charley's Food Trip Group [The Best of Charley's #3]

The Charley's Food Trip Group!

Charley Leviste- Antonio

Chef Popit De Leon

The Grand Tour of Charley's [The Best of Charley's #2]

One of the highlights of Charley's place is this row of Mahogany trees. It was simply magnificent to walk along this path.

This friendly white horse greets you when you arrive. Very friendly and they are not shy to have their photographs taken.

Let me tour you around Charley's place....

A Charley's Weekend Food Trip cum Foodie EB [Best of Charley's Series 1]

Finally, I can say that Charley's is one of the best places for group food trips! It is unique because of its Equestrian farm setting -- think beautiful horses as an ambiance, cool Batangas winds, and good food by no other than Mr. Popit De Leon (P800/head). I can't believe that we are in Lipa, Batangas and we have to thank Charley Leviste- Antonio's family for opening up their gorgeous Lipa farm / house on weekends to the public. I have so much things to say about Charleys so this will be a trilogy series on the best of Charley's.

First, I was pleasantly surprised that Poch, who initiated this Food Trip to Charley's, was able to confirm 16 participants to this food trip. Not even the controversy surrounding the Levistes of Lipa can stop us from going last Saturday. It was a mix group of the who's who of McCann Erickson (great people) and my most admired foodie bloggers (I'm also a fan of foodie bloggers). I was so excited because I'm able to meet Joey of 80Breakfasts, Christine of Ramblings from a Gypsy Soul, Wysgal of Rants and Raves, Mila - the watergirl, Tessa, Mrs. Carlos Celdran, Socky of Tennis and Conversation, and Eileen, the OrangePixieGirl -- all in one event. This is like a marketman's EB but I like this setup better because it is more a personal EB of sorts and more time to get to know one another.

Even with this group of 16, it was hard to get to know each of them since I had to balance my passion for photography and talking to each one of them. I wished that there is a part 2 and more! Some readers ask how to get invited to these events, well I don't know... Sometimes, it just happens -- like this one. We were also limited by the maximum allowable at Charley's which is 20, so we can't invite as much people to this food trip. This is like a friendster gathering where you invite a friend and later on you find out that he is a friend of a friend. Somehow, we are all connected at one point and the 6 degrees of separation holds true.

Back to Charley's... Overall, We had a great time! Nothing can beat great company, perfect unique ambiance and good food by a Les Roche trained Chef anytime of the day. We were glad that we cancelled our Bohol/ Dumaguete trip and we were able to join this food trip to Charley's. As for the food, everybody agrees that the Fresh tomato soup and the Crepe Suzette cooked in front of you with the aroma embracing the entire room are the hands down killer food. The Mahi-Mahi was a disaster (sorry to say this) but it was supposed to be seared but mine felt raw and mushy. The Batangas Beef Stewed in Rosemary and Wine with Rice Pilaf was yummy because of the sauce and the magic spell of the rosemary. You'll find yourself asking, can we have an extra white rice?

Popit told me that when he cooks in Charley's, he is obliged to use the organic Herbs from Charley's garden. This is the secret in most of the food -- the fresh tomatoes, the basil in the soul, the rosemary in the beef stew, and the lemon grass in the Ice Tea. In the end, Charley also sells them and my wife bought fresh Basil leaves for P20/ bunch . The next day, I'm enjoying pesto pasta prepared by my wife -- super delish!

Thanks to Popit and Charley's for the Wonderful Time!!

Related Posts:
Bloggers On A Road Trip by Tennis and Conversation - Know the story on how this food trip was organized.
Lunch at Charley's by ramblings from a gypsy soul - Check out Christine's love for the horses!
Saturday's Lunch @ Charley's , Lipa, Batangas - Wysgal's account on last Saturday's awesome lunch.

[Dear Awesome Planet #6] Viaje Del Sol Itinerary

Dear Anton,

I read your entry about Viaje del Sol -- and great timing, too, since my
wife and I are planning to drive there this weekend. You mentioned that if
we needed tips I can email you. I was hoping you can help me out with the
itinerary. Like where should we start? And is there a need to call in
advance?

Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Glenn, OAP Reader

Related Posts:
[Dear Awesome Planet #1] Best of the Philippines in 30 days
[Dear Awesome Planet #2] Golden Sunset Resort, Calatagan
[Dear Awesome Planet #3] My Favorite Blogs about the Philippines
[Dear Awesome Planet #4] Out-of-town Recommendations and "Not to Miss" Restaurants
[Dear Awesome Planet #5] a few photography and blogging questions

Sitio de Amor Conversations [Viaje del Sol]

I had one of the most interesting and stimulating conversations with strangers lately which makes me love Philippines a lot lot more. Meet George and Amor Bondad, owners of Sitio de Amor in San Pablo, Laguna which is part of the Viaje del Sol group. My friend Luisa and I after visiting Tahanan ni aling Meding decided to check out Sitio de Amor because we are hearing some good stuff about it and they say it was featured in a Dec issue of cosmo magazine. This 4.7 hectares farm place is a budding private resort (turning into a public one) which is a hobby of the Bondad couple for 12 years now. I always like to see these places when they are young and you can see them transform into that beautiful resort. What I like about this place is its simplicity and honesty. Of course this is far from The Farm @ San Benito's landscaping and concept, but this is a better than your typical Pansol Laguna resorts. Best time to go is during the Rambutan Festival in August or in time for the cool weather in Dec/Jan/Feb.

Manila, Philippines